LaLiga's transfer window winners
The new LaLiga season kicks off on Saturday morning (AEST) and there are five clubs raring to go thanks to their key piece of transfer business.
Barcelona has won the title in the last two seasons and head into the new campaign as favourites again, having bolstered its squad with the additions of Antoine Griezmann, Junior Firpo and Frenkie de Jong.
Real Madrid has spent heavily during the close season in an attempt to close the gap on its bitter rival, with Eden Hazard among those to arrive, and last term's runner-up Atletico Madrid also broke its transfer record by bringing in Joao Felix from Benfica.
There has been smart business right the way down the division, setting up what should be another thrilling year of Spanish top-flight action.
The transfer window does not shut until September 2 but, ahead of the opening round of fixtures, we look at the five best signings made by LaLiga clubs.
5. Marc Cucurella (Getafe)
Young Cucurella was one of the best left-sided players in LaLiga last season at Eibar and looked entirely capable of being an asset to Barcelona's first-team squad.
However, after triggering their buy-back option on him, Barcelona has since sent him out on loan to Getafe, which can make the deal permanent for €6million.
Given his impact in 2018-2019, it looks immensely shrewd business by Los Azulones.
4. Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
Isak has had to live with comparisons to another Swedish scoring sensation in Zlatan Ibrahimovic since breaking through at AIK three years ago.
Borussia Dortmund saw enough potential to snap him up in 2017 and, after a handful of Bundesliga appearances, he was sent on loan to Willem II last term and blossomed when used regularly.
Thirteen goals in 16 Eredivisie appearances, followed up by one for Sweden 11 minutes after being brought on in June's Euro 2020 qualifier against Malta, led to reported interest from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Sociedad, somewhat surprisingly, won the race for his signature and the €7m fee will be considered a bargain should Isak provide goals for one of last season's lowest-scoring sides in LaLiga.
3. Hector Herrera (Atletico Madrid)
The loss of Rodri to Manchester City leaves a void to be filled at Atletico this season, but in Herrera they have a player capable of thriving under Diego Simeone, albeit in a slightly different role.
Herrera, signed on a free after his contract at Porto expired, will be expected to offer more of a goal threat, having scored 26 times in his six seasons at Estadio do Dragao.
A Primeira Liga title winner and a player boasting plenty of Champions League experience, Simeone will hope the tenacious 29-year-old's best years are still to come.
2. Nabil Fekir (Real Betis)
Fekir was on the brink of joining Liverpool in a £52m deal last year, only for the move to collapse late on, reportedly due to concerns flagged by his medical.
Liverpool's loss is now Betis' gain, with the Andalusian side reaching an agreement with Lyon for an initial €19.75m.
The France international's goal tally may have halved last term - dropping from 18 in 2017-18 to nine in 2018-19 - but he could thrive as the focal point in Rubi's attack.
1. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
Barcelona agreed the €75million signing of De Jong in January, seeing off competition from a number of rivals to ensure one of the hottest properties in world football would join them this summer.
Griezmann may add to Ernesto Valverde's attacking options and Firpo will provide long-term cover for Jordi Alba at left-back, but De Jong - allowed to stay on at Ajax for the second half of last season - looks like the most exciting of the Spanish champions' new recruits so far.
After starring for the Dutch champions in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, knocking out Real Madrid and Juventus along the way, there is no reason the versatile midfielder cannot make a similar impact in his new Camp Nou surroundings.
